Guiding gun control legislation in Estonia includes the Weapons Act 2001,45 the Council Directive of 18 June 1991 on Control of the Acquisition and Possession of Weapons,4647 the European Union Firearms Regulation of 2012 and the Common Position on the Control of Arms Brokering of 200348

In Estonia, civilians are not allowed to possess smoothbore guns with an overall length of less than 840mm, automatic firearms, military weapons, armour-piercing, explosive, incendiary, or hollow-pointed ammunition, and silencers, laser or night sight devices535455565758

Genuine Reason Required for Firearm Possession

Applicants for a gun owner’s licence in Estonia are required to establish a genuine reason to possess a firearm, for example hunting, target shooting, collection, personal protection, security, and during filming or performance69637066717273

Destruction and Disposal Policy

European Union

As a member of the European Union, Estonia is bound by the provisions of the ‘EU Firearms Directive’ – the 2007 Legislative Resolution on Control of the Acquisition and Possession of Weapons of the European Parliament108109

European Union Export Reporting

Under the European Union Common Position on Arms Exports, Estonia is bound to declare its transfers of military technology and equipment. Independent monitoring provides detailed comparisons of arms export reporting compliance across EU member states, and records that Estonia has submitted one or more national reports110 on its arms transfers

UNPoA Commitment

On 21 July 2001, Estonia committed to a consensus decision of the United Nations to adopt, support and implement the UN Programme of Action to Prevent, Combat and Eradicate the Illicit Trade in Small Arms and Light Weapons in All Its Aspects114

UNPoA Implementation Monitor Score

In its UN small arms Programme of Action Implementation Monitor (PoAIM Phase 1), the Small Arms Survey scored Estonia against its commitments to the PoA, then ranked it at No. 10115116117118 among 159 Member States

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Estonia.2002.‘Procedure for Transportation of Firearms and Ammunition from Estonia to Another Member State of European Union.’ Weapons Act (Riigi Teataja I 2001, 65, 377) [with amendments to June 2004].Tallinn:Riigi Teataja (State Gazette),31 March. (Q5543)Full Citation

33.

European Council.1991.‘Article 11.’ Council Directive of 18 June 1991 on Control of the Acquisition and Possession of Weapons (91/477/EEC) [current to 2008 amendments].Brussels:Council of the European Communities,18 June. (Q2414)Full Citation

34.

European Council.1991.‘Article 12.’ Council Directive of 18 June 1991 on Control of the Acquisition and Possession of Weapons (91/477/EEC) [current to 2008 amendments].Brussels:Council of the European Communities,18 June. (Q2415)Full Citation

35.

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36.

European Council.1991.‘Article 14.’ Council Directive of 18 June 1991 on Control of the Acquisition and Possession of Weapons (91/477/EEC) [current to 2008 amendments].Brussels:Council of the European Communities,18 June. (Q2417)Full Citation

37.

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40.

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42.

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47.

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48.

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58.

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59.

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60.

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Citation for this Article

Alpers, Philip and Marcus Wilson. 2015. Estonia — Gun Facts, Figures and the Law.Sydney School of Public Health, The University of Sydney. GunPolicy.org, 24 June.Accessed 2 August 2015. at: http://www.gunpolicy.org/firearms/region/estonia